Modine 200k BTU

[MAINEGUY]

I am looking at a Modine 200k BTU 80% (LP) hanging heater for my 32x40x13 garage. The space currently is not insulated at all but will be by next winter. My end goal is to keep the space heated to 50 degrees or so all winter and ramp up from there when I want to work in the garage. I know it's likely way overkill but is there any harm in that? The price is right for me and the unit has never been installed.

Thanks
Eric

 

[yeldogt]

I heat over 1700 sf w/ net of about 32k. Very well insulated -- so yes you are way too big. and yes there is harm. Comfort and running cost harm.

Guys that work outside and have no problem working in a lot of layers look a shop temps differently vs those of us that work inside and don't like being bundled. I don't want to work with cold tools and gloves. 50 degrees can be a bit cold IMO.

Spend a bit more $$ and time getting your building tighter and insulated and burn less propane -- be more comfortable. A big heater comes on -- heats the air (all goes to the ceiling) and shuts off. This is not comfort or efficiency. heaters are efficient when they burn for a long time and you want to make sure you don't create major currents and stack effect in a building. This pushes the heat out.

I keep mine warmer and at no great cost.

I use about 300gal of propane. current is 2x100 gallon tanks -- moving to a big buried for house and shop

 

[gungatim]

LGR!

 

[2CRUZ]

I have a well insulated 30x40 and I use a 125 Modine and it heats mine and hardly kicks on at all. Mine is natural gas.

 

[zmotorsports]

I think you are way oversized, especially if you want to insulate next year and keep the same heater.

My shop measures 50'x60' with 16' ceiling height and I have a Reznor 150k btu heater which is slightly oversized for that. Mine is very well insulated however and the heater easily maintains the temperatures I like.

 

[Jackfre]

“Any harm in that?” Yes there is harm to your comfort, the units efficiency, and due the short cycles it will harm the reliability. For an analogy, do you want to buy the used car of the rural mailman? 100 is grossly oversized. Buy the heat for what the insulated building is going to be. I think you can do it nicely with 50hbtu

 

[MAINEGUY]

Pretty much what I thought was case. As much as I like overkill I do realize that sometimes it not the best solution.

On another note I happened to be walking around our weld shop at work and found a 45k Mr Heater new in a box that we bought in 2012 but never installed. I had forgotten all about it. I recall we paid 400 or so for it and the boss say's give me 50% of what we paid for it.

Any concerns I should have with this unit given it's age?

 

[gungatim]

I wouldn't think new in the box would have any concerns if it was never installed, but I would check what a decent price for one is currently. Usually a business pays full retail and then some for equipment, at least everywhere I've ever worked. then they depreciate it. so $200 may not be as great a deal as it sounds...is this a hanging unit or a tank top unit? my google Fu only came up with tank top infrared units, which would probably leave you wanting something bigger...

 

[MAINEGUY]

I wouldn't think new in the box would have any concerns if it was never installed, but I would check what a decent price for one is currently. Usually a business pays full retail and then some for equipment, at least everywhere I've ever worked. then they depreciate it. so $200 may not be as great a deal as it sounds...is this a hanging unit or a tank top unit? my google Fu only came up with tank top infrared units, which would probably leave you wanting something bigger...

Not a tank top. It looks just like the current 50k Big Maxx unit which I assume replaced the 45k unit.

I'm pretty sure with well insulated 2x6 construction it should do fine.

 

[yeldogt]

Not a tank top. It looks just like the current 50k Big Maxx unit which I assume replaced the 45k unit.

I'm pretty sure with well insulated 2x6 construction it should do fine.

In additional to the 32k BTU (net) cabinet heaters I have a 4500w 220v electric heater w/two heat setting. This is a weekend shop. If I know I'm going to be gone for two weeks and it looks like cold weather ... I drop the temp down a bit to save some propane. If I arrive and want to use the shop right away I turn up the propane heater and also use the 15k BTU's that the electric will give me to warm things up quicker. This allows me to have a properly sized gas heater and still have some extra when needed --